Uber and Lyft Lawsuits on the Rise, So Be Prepared

by Simon Hopes Author

Ridesharing services like Uber and Lyft have really gained ground over the last few years. More people than ever are relying on this form of transportation to get from one place to another. This is largely due to the convenience and cheaper prices Uber, Lyft and other ridesharing services offer to customers.

Steps to Take After a Ridesharing Accident

Of course, along with the numbers of these vehicles on the road increasing, there is also a greater risk of accidents occurring involving them. Unfortunately, Uber and Lyft accidents are on the rise every single day, which means you will want to take certain measures in the event that you are in one. While you cannot predict or prevent an accident with an Uber or Lyft car, you can still take certain steps after an accident. These are steps you should take no matter what vehicle you are in after an accident takes place. They include the following:

• Check on everyone involved in the accident to make sure they are safe. Check on yourself as well.

• Call 911 to have the police and emergency services arrive at the scene of the accident. The police can take statements and make an accident report, which can help when you meet with a ridesharing accident lawyer if you plan on filing a personal injury lawsuit. Everyone involved in the accident should also be medically checked out immediately in case they have sustained serious injuries.

• Snap a few pictures of the scene of the accident, including of the road, vehicles, road signs, road conditions, weather conditions and anything else of importance. Use your smartphone’s camera or a digital camera if you have one on hand.

• Gather the names, contact information, driver’s license numbers and license plate numbers of all drivers involved in the accident. If there are any witnesses at the scene, get their names and contact information as well. You may also want to get their statements recorded either via your smartphone or on paper.

• Contact your insurance company and tell a representative that you have been involved in a ridesharing accident.

• Write down your own account of the events during and immediately after the accident. It can help you to remember what happened if you forget sometime in the future. You can present your notes to an Uber accident lawyer or Lyft accident lawyer later on as well.

• Remain as calm as possible to keep the situation under control.

How Uber and Lyft Have the Edge Over Regular Taxis

Many people have already downloaded the app for Uber and Lyft’s services and rely on those services every single day. Chances are, you know at least one person who uses ridesharing services and has the brand to which they are loyal. Uber started the craze after first appearing in 2009 and changed the way people use public transportation. There are two reasons why ridesharing services are so attractive: they do away with having to wait on the street for a traditional taxi and are cheaper. Multiple people tend to wait for regular taxis, but Uber and Lyft are personal rides that you set up, so you have no competition for the ride.

What Happens if You’re in an Accident Involving an Uber or Lyft Vehicle?

As a result of the sizable number of people riding Uber and Lyft cars on a regular daily basis, it is only natural that accidents happen. There are a few different ways in which an accident can occur with a ridesharing vehicle. You could be a passenger or pedestrian, and there are certain situations that may apply after the Uber or Lyft vehicle crashes. These situations are as follows:

• You are a passenger involved in a ridesharing accident: If you were a passenger involved in a ridesharing accident, the crash is obviously not your fault. You should easily be able to recover compensation if you suffer injuries as a result of the accident. This is possible with the company’s $1 million insurance policy that takes effect when a driver gets into an accident with a passenger in the vehicle. You should speak with an Uber accident attorney to represent you and assist you in getting compensated.

• You are a bystander involved in a ridesharing accident: If you were a bystander — a pedestrian — who was unfortunate enough to be involved in an accident involving an Uber or Lyft vehicle, things are a bit more complicated. Generally speaking, what happens in your case depends on the circumstances of the driver’s activity as detailed below.

• The driver didn’t have app on: If the driver doesn’t have the ridesharing service’s app on, it means they’re looking for a passenger. In this scenario, the ridesharing service’s insurance would not apply and you would only be able to go through the driver’s insurance policy. If that is insufficient, you would have to rely on your own uninsured or underinsured motorist policy.

• The app was on while the driver was waiting for ride request: The ridesharing company’s insurance applies if the driver has the app on while waiting for a ride request. It covers $50,000 per injury per person up to $100,000 and $25,000 per damage to property.

• The driver had the app on while traveling to pick up a passenger: Another scenario that can occur is an accident with a passenger while the driver had the app on while driving to a location to pick up a passenger. The ridesharing service’s $1 million insurance policy would kick in. The driver’s GPS would serve as proof of them traveling to get a passenger for a ride. A lawyer can help you in this situation as well.

• The driver was driving a passenger: If the driver was driving a passenger to a location at the time of the accident, the $1 million insurance policy would apply.

These situations all warrant speaking with an experienced ridesharing accident lawyer if you are injured in an accident involving a Lyft or Uber vehicle. Contact West Coast Trial Lawyers to discuss your case with an Uber accident lawyer or Lyft accident lawyer at your earliest convenience. A skilled lawyer will explain what your options are and give you helpful advice and assistance in your personal injury case. It is the best chance you have for recovering compensation for your injuries and other damages. West Coast Trial Lawyers is there to help you.